Witchcraft items among 9,000 objects seized

Drugs, weapons, lasers, dairy products, tobacco and materials used in witchcraft were among the items seized last year by Abu Dhabi Customs in more than 9,000 cases across all the emirate's points of entry.

According to its annual seizures and confiscations report for 2009, the Customs Directorate at the Abu Dhabi Department of Finance recorded 9,220 violations.

"Abu Dhabi International Airport witnessed the largest number of seizures last year, including a case of 24.13kg of heroin hidden in cans and plastic bags in the upper and lower sides of travel bags," Director-General Saeed Ahmed Abdullah Al Muhairi said yesterday.

He said the seizures were the result of the installation of advanced security systems at strategic checkpoint and entry posts.

"We have installed the Z X-ray Control System in addition to implementing Rapiscan Security Systems at Abu Dhabi International Airport. We have also held a series of training workshops for our employees reflecting the department's belief in their vital role of protecting the citizens and borders of our homeland," he said. According to the report, 146 drug seizures were recorded across the emirate, totalling 33,614.086 grams.

The report said: "In addition, 22,615 illegal pills were confiscated. Most of the drugs were seized at the airport which accounted for 74 per cent of the total seizures at all Abu Dhabi Customs centres combined.

The centres made 39 seizures of pan tobacco weighing a total of 51,612 tonnes. There were also 24 seizures of weapons and ammunitions, including 68,563 bullets, which was the largest seizure in this category.

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